Enduring power of attorney

The Guardianship
List
A List is an area in VCAT that deals with cases of a similar nature. For example, the Residential Tenancies List decides cases between tenants and landlords, and the Civil Claims List handles disputes about buying or selling goods and services.
at VCAT hears and decide applications related to enduring powers of attorney.

An enduring power of attorney gives the attorney the right to make some kinds of decisions on behalf of someone else. The power of attorney stays in place even if the person who appointed the attorney stops being able to make their own decisions.

Definitions of principal and attorney

The principal is the person who has appointed an attorney to act on their behalf.

The attorney is the person appointed to act on behalf of the principal.

For example with an enduring power of attorney, if you are the principal, that means you have appointed an attorney to act on your behalf. You have given them enduring power of attorney.

Before you apply

If you apply to revoke the appointment of an attorney you must provide VCAT with a report from a doctor who has assessed the principal and found that person to have lost the capacity to make a decision. Once the principal has lost decision-making capacity, only VCAT can revoke the enduring power of attorney. You must also be able to show that the appointed attorney is not complying with their roles as defined in the Powers of Attorney Act 2014.

You can apply to VCAT if you are the principal, the nearest relative of the principal, an attorney or supportive attorney under the enduring power of attorney, or someone who has a special interest in the affairs of the principal. Complete the application form, lodge it with VCAT and send a copy to all the people you named in the application form. You do not need to pay an application fee.

Need help with your application?

VCAT cannot give you legal advice. Seek legal help if you are unsure about your legal options. The following services may be able to help you:

Decide who pays the costs of representation

If you are an attorney who is a
party
A person or organisation directly involved in a VCAT case, including a person or organisation that has brought the case before VCAT or who is defending claims made against them.
to a power of attorney
hearing
The time and place at which VCAT hears the parties argue their case and makes a decision.
at VCAT you may want to be represented by a lawyer. You must decide whether this is a cost you should pay personally or whether it is a reasonable expense that can be paid from the principal’s finances.

Access and privacy

VCAT hearings and files are usually public.

VCAT has limited authority to restrict who can access cases and files but, in certain circumstances, you can apply for confidentiality. For more about applying for confidentiality.

The Department of Justice and Regulation website provides a useful overview of the Powers of Attorney Act 2014 reform.

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